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10 Essential Non-Gear Items Every Musician Should Bring to a Gig

Eric Alper
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10 Essential Non-Gear Items Every Musician Should Bring to a Gig

Every gig is an adventure, and the best performances come from being fully prepared. Beyond guitars, amps, keyboards, and sticks, there’s a world of small items that keep the night running smoothly. These essentials don’t make sound, but they make sure you do.

  • Spare Cables and Adapters
    A single adapter can save an entire show. Pack a small bag of instrument cables, power adapters, and ¼-to-XLR converters so you’re ready for any stage setup.
  • Power Strips and Extension Cords
    Venues rarely have outlets where you need them. Bring your own reliable strip and extension cord so you control where the power flows and set up without stress.
  • Gaffer Tape
    Gaffer tape secures cables, marks stage positions, and even holds down a pedal that wants to slide. It peels off cleanly and earns its reputation as a gigging musician’s secret weapon.
  • Setlists and Sharpies
    A clear, printed setlist taped to the stage keeps the show tight and focused. A Sharpie writes through sweat, dim light, and last-minute changes with ease.
  • Extra Strings, Sticks, and Picks
    Fresh strings, a couple of sticks, and plenty of picks keep the music flowing. Replacing them on the fly takes seconds and shows the crowd you’re always ready.
  • Tuner and Batteries
    Even the tightest set falls flat without perfect tuning. Keep a backup tuner and extra batteries handy so you stay in tune from the first song to the encore.
  • Hand Towel and Water Bottle
    Performance is physical. A towel keeps your grip steady, while water keeps your energy strong and your voice clear under the stage lights.
  • Small Tool Kit
    A multi-tool, string winder, and screwdriver solve countless problems in minutes. Toss them in a pouch and you’ll always look like the pro who has it covered.
  • Earplugs
    Protecting your hearing is a long-term investment. Quality earplugs let you hear clearly on stage while keeping your ears safe for decades of music ahead.
  • Merch
    A gig is more than music—it’s a chance to connect. Having t-shirts, CDs, vinyl, or stickers on hand gives fans a way to support you and carry a piece of the night home.
  • Positive Attitude
    The best gear in the world can’t beat the energy you bring. Show up ready to collaborate, adapt, and share the joy of music—it’s contagious and unforgettable.

Preparation is part of performance. With these essentials packed and ready, you walk into every venue with confidence and peace of mind. Here’s to smooth setups, great sound, and nights filled with music you’ll never forget.

David Lee Roth’s Isolated Vocals for Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher”

Eric Alper
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David Lee Roth’s Isolated Vocals for Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher”

What do you think the teacher’s gonna look like this year? “Hot for Teacher” came out in October 1984, the last single of Van Halen’s original era. It opens with 30 seconds of Alex Van Halen’s drums, has the band as kids in the video, and even ends with a riff from their early demo “Voodoo Queen.” But you don’t need that now. You want the whoops and hollers of David Lee Roth.



Maygen & The Birdwatcher Release Nostalgic New Single “Feel Good” Ahead of Busy Tour

Eric Alper
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Minnesota-based group Maygen & The Birdwatcher released their comforting new single “Feel Good” via Yellow House Music Collective/Missing Piece Records. Inflecting their bluegrass + folk roots with a pop sensibility, the track finds lead singer-songwriters Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann reflecting on the comfort of home and the need to go back to your roots after times of strife and hardship.

The track was featured at Glide Magazine who exclaimed, “the versatile musicians deliver top-notch musicianship that evokes comparisons to the likes of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Lake Street Dive, and Alison Krauss & Union Station. Led by the twangy and soulful vocals of Maygen Lacey, the band will surely be a festival favorite for years to come.”

“This song is a heartfelt tribute to the pull of home and the healing power of nostalgia,” shares Lacey. “It paints a vivid picture of someone who’s been through a tough year, worn down by life’s storms, finally returning to the comfort of their roots, or at least dreaming of it. There’s a deep emotional resonance in how the past, though it may fade, leaves behind feelings that linger and provide strength. Ultimately, it’s not just about going home, or the thought of it – it’s about reconnecting with who you are and where you came from, and finding peace in that familiarity.”

The new song is the first taste of more new music coming this fall co-produced by John Fields (Brandi Carlile, Soul Asylum, Miley Cyrus). “Feel Good” was one of the first songs that Lacey and Neumann wrote following their 2021 debut Moonshine and their subsequent EPs Bootleggin’ At The Flower Shop and Leap Year. And while their writing process usually involves lots of individual time and workshopping, this one was written in one day with the two of them and a guitar in a room together.

Bursting onto the scene with their sparkling bluegrass in 2021, Maygen & The Birdwatcher has a lot to show over the course of just a couple of years. They’ve shared stages with fellow genre luminaries like Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show and Grace Potter and had songs featured in Spotify’s Indie Bluegrass and New Grass playlists, Minnesota Monthly, and 89.3FM The Current. They’ve also won Album of the Year, Americana Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year from the Midwest Country Music Organization. Now, they’re gearing up for a busy year ahead with new music and tour and festival dates.

2025 Tour Dates
August 31 – Shakopee, MN – Music on the Porch
September 5 – Saint Cloud, MN – Granite City Folk Society Kickoff Fest
September 6 – Zimmerman, MN – Sandhill Crane Music Festival
September 11 – Hillsboro, WI – BoogieDown at Driftless Music Gardens
September 13 – Minneapolis, MN – 56 Brewing @ Brewgrass Fest
September 19 – Batavia, IL – Sidecar Supper Club
September 20 – Plymouth, IN – Wild Rose Moon
September 25 – Winona, MN – Boats & Bluegrass Fest 2025
October 11 – Durand, WI – Brews on the Chippewa Festival
November 15 – Lanesboro, MN – St Mane Theater

Robert Earl Keen Extends Fan Appreciation Weekend With Three Nights at Floore’s

Eric Alper
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Robert Earl Keen Extends Fan Appreciation Weekend With Three Nights at Floore’s

Leave it up to beloved Texas songwriter Robert Earl Keen to ensure that a party never ends. This year, his now-legendary Fan Appreciation Day will roll all the way through Labor Day weekend with three whole nights at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas.

“Fan Appreciation Day is my favorite weekend of the year,” says Keen. “Spending three days with my fans at one of my favorite venues is the only way to close out Summer, if you ask me.” As it has been for the past four years, the all-day fiesta on Labor Day proper-Monday, September 1st-will be a free event full of yet-to-be-announced guests and a Robert Earl Keen Band performance for those lucky enough to win the ticket lottery.

New additions for this year include a special outdoor ticketed show on Saturday, August 30th, featuring Keen and his band alongside some of his favorite next-generation Americana road dogs, American Aquarium and Silverada (formerly Mike & The Moonpies). On Sunday, August 31st, Keen will bring a crowd into the much more intimate indoor venue at Floore’s for an unforgettable guitar pull-or songwriter’s round, depending on where you’re from-featuring Keen, Lori McKenna, Steve Poltz, and American Aquarium’s BJ Barham.

This Labor Day weekend will conclude quite the summer for the un-retired Keen, including a number of headline dates up and down the Western U.S., as well as supporting Tyler Childers at the Hollywood Bowl and Turnpike Troubadours at Red Rocks.

Larry Fleet Releases Bluesy New Single “Like You Used To” and Expands Hard Work & Holy Water Tour

Eric Alper
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Larry Fleet Releases Bluesy New Single “Like You Used To” and Expands Hard Work & Holy Water Tour

Country hitmaker Larry Fleet is back with a brand-new single and even more chances for fans to catch him live. The blues-tinged “Like You Used To” finds Fleet searching for answers on a fading love that once burned with passion.

Co-written by Fleet with Jamie Moore and Ernest K., the mid-tempo groove leans into warm country soul as Fleet reflects on the little things that once made love feel electric – and how to bring that spark back.

“We’ve all been in that relationship where the fire cools off a bit, and you start looking back, wondering where the spark went,” said Fleet. “That’s what ‘Like You Used To’ is about – but it’s got a groove, and I think a lot of folks will connect with this.”

“Like You Used To” follows Fleet’s “Hard Work & Holy Water” and his recent release “A Lotta Women,” a heartfelt tribute to the kind of steady love that holds it all together – both of which showcase the blue-collar ethos and emotional honesty that define his sound.

And fans will have even more chances to hear these tracks live, as Fleet expands his Hard Work & Holy Water Tour with 25 new U.S. dates running through the end of 2025.

Fleet will first take his soulful mix of country, R&B and Southern rock overseas, kicking off the international leg of the tour in Glasgow, Scotland on August 20, followed by shows across the U.K., Belgium and the Netherlands.

Returning stateside, Fleet heads right to the heartland on September 11 in Shipshewana, Indiana, launching a coast-to-coast trek from Georgia to California, with dates extending through December 12 in Las Vegas. On most nights, fans will enjoy a double shot of Fleet – opening with an acoustic set before returning with his full band for the main show. Rising duo The Kruse Brothers will join select West Coast dates.

Fleet’s recent run of sold-out shows and expanding global footprint underscores a breakout chapter in the making. As Billboard praises, he’s an artist who “delves into blues, rock and retro-country with ease,” and with every new release, he proves there’s no substitute for the real thing.

The Amity Affliction Unveil Haunting New Single “All That I Remember” as Jonny Reeves Joins on Vocals

Eric Alper
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The Amity Affliction Unveil Haunting New Single “All That I Remember” as Jonny Reeves Joins on Vocals

 With the remainder of 2025 set to have The Amity Affliction touring throughout North America, Europe and the UK, the legendary metalcore group kicks off the second half of the year with brand new music in the form of “All That I Remember.”

The Amity Affliction have never shied away from delving into darker emotional tones, exploring the complexities of the human condition. With “All That I Remember,” the listener is served up a moment of reflection that is laced with haunting resonance. Lyrically, the track discusses personal recollections of a fractured relationship with a parent, with frontman Joel Birch explaining, “My mother knew only abuse and isolation, even in death as she cut her own children off. She died as she lived, paranoid and alone.”

Both of Birch’s siblings weigh in on their own reflections surrounding the new song, with brother Beau stating, “Time and again, our mother showed us that she would put herself first, and use life’s pain to justify her actions of self-interests, while we were left to fend for ourselves.”

Reaffirming this, Birch’s sister Chanel says, “This song reminds me how she would pit us against each other constantly, so much so I feel like my relationship with my brothers only grew after she was gone. When I was young, I couldn’t see it, I didn’t understand the manipulation until years had passed, and I crossed oceans to breathe.””

Returning with a brutal sound such as this, The Amity Affliction land with impact – a reminder of the talent that has permeated throughout the band’s career and output to date.

“All That I Remember” is the beginning of a new chapter for the band, featuring Jonny Reeves on clean vocals for the first time.

Fans of The Amity Affliction will recognize Reeves’ voice – the Sacramento, California musician and vocalist having joined the band on their last few tours of North America and Europe. Coming via a recommendation from Josh Gilbert (Spiritbox), Reeves had already built a strong community following in the metalcore scene for his work with the band Kingdom of Giants. With “All That I Remember,” Reeves officially becomes The Amity Affliction’s clean vocalist, following the exit of Ahren Stringer.

2024 saw The Amity Affliction return to radars everywhere in a big way, namely with the 10th anniversary celebration of their seminal album, Let The Ocean Take Me. The release of redux version of the project, as well as a national tour with We Came As Romans and Ice Nine Kills brought The Amity Affliction to huge Australian stages – a triumphant return for the band who, at that point, was taking the independent route for the first time in over a decade.

The second half of 2025 will see The Amity Affliction headline venues throughout North America, before joining Parkway Drive on their 20th anniversary tour of Europe from September through November.

Photo Gallery: Leon Bridges, Charley Crockett, and Noeline Hofmann at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage on August 28, 2025

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Leon Bridges, Charley Crockett, and Noeline Hofmann at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage on August 28, 2025

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.

Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett
Noeline Hofmann
Noeline Hofmann
Noeline Hofmann
Noeline Hofmann
Noeline Hofmann

Cruise to the Edge 2026 Marks 10th Anniversary With Marillion, Steve Hackett, Big Big Train, and More

Eric Alper
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Cruise to the Edge 2026 Marks 10th Anniversary With Marillion, Steve Hackett, Big Big Train, and More

The 2026 edition of Cruise To The Edge is setting up to be the best yet, as progressive rock’s largest festival at sea is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event is scheduled for March 4th – 9th, sailing out of Miami, Florida, with stops at Key West and Nassau, Bahamas.

The incredible 10th Anniversary lineup is headlined by Marillion, Steve Hackett, Big Big Train, and Eddie Jobson. As always, there is a brilliant mix of classic and modern prog with some returning names alongside some first timers.

Returning are cruise favorites Symphony X, Adrian Belew, Haken, Lifesigns, The Flower Kings, Protocol, Wishbone Ash, Airbag, Queensryche, Stick Men, District 97, Goblin, Klone, Baraka, and Marbin. Joining the cruise for the first time are Pete Roth Trio feat. Bill Bruford, Crack the Sky, Randy McStine, Crown Lands, Earthside, Rendezvous Point, Alex Henry Foster, and Lari Basilo. The event will be hosted by Jon Kirkman, Roie Avin and Mike Dawson.

Beyond the sun, fun, and exquisite dining, guests can look forward to artist/cruiser Photo Experiences, Q&A sessions, Theme Nights, Dueling Pianos, Late Night Karaoke, Wheel of Prog – Live, and much more-all designed to enhance the artist/fan experience.

In addition, the cruise will once again feature the incomparable CTTE Late Night Live, hosted by Rob Rutz, where fans can sign up to showcase their own musical talents.

Cruise to the Edge is truly the greatest prog-rock show on earth and is a can’t-miss event for prog enthusiasts throughout the world.

The Latest Spotify Data Shows EU Artists Generated a Record-Breaking €1.7B in 2024

Eric Alper
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The Latest Spotify Data Shows EU Artists Generated a Record-Breaking €1.7B in 2024

Spotify’s commitment to transparency and artist empowerment continues to resonate across Europe—and the numbers back it up. In its most recent Loud & Clear report, the company amplified a major milestone: European artists earned a record-breaking €1.7 billion in royalties on Spotify in 2024 alone. That’s a 15% year-on-year increase and nearly double what EU artists earned in 2020.

This landmark comes on the heels of another big moment: Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek announcing at Spotify’s recent Open House event in Stockholm that they had reached 100 million paying subscribers across Europe.

“Europe and European creators are a crucial part of Spotify’s DNA. That is why we’re delighted to celebrate Spotify’s European Loud & Clear data for the second year running—providing artists and creators across the EU and the world transparency around the economics of music streaming,” said Spotify’s General Manager of Europe, Federica Tremolada. “We’re also excited EU creators are continuing to transcend global borders, with over half of all royalties generated by EU artists that perform in a non-English language.”

Global resonance

Spotify is particularly proud to be the only streaming platform to openly share how royalties are distributed. Its latest European data paints a vivid picture of a thriving creative ecosystem:

  • 28 billion global discoveries of European artists in 2024.
  • 351.66 billion streams of EU artists by European listeners.
  • More than 830 million user-generated playlists in the U.S. included EU artists.
  • Over 52,000 EU artists landing on editorial playlists (a 4% increase from 2023), strengthening the pipeline between European talent and global listeners.

Artists and creators thriving off their art

Spotify is more than a platform—it’s a career launchpad. In 2024:

  • More than 17,000 EU artists earned more than €10,000.
  • More than 27,000 EU artists earned more than €5,000.

This growth is not just encouraging—it’s life-changing. Nearly 44% of all royalties generated in the EU came from EU artists, the highest percentage since Spotify began tracking in 2017. And in a major milestone for language diversity, 57% of royalties went to artists performing in non-English languages.

Spotlighting female creators

Female voices across Europe are rising—fast. Since 2020, streams of female EU artists are up:

  • 83% globally
  • 81% across Europe

Between 2023 and 2024 alone, streams grew by 11% globally and 4% across the EU. In 2024, Spotify’s EQUAL program, launched to elevate female voices in music, supported more than 200 female European artists from 19 different markets with visibility, mentorship, and industry access.

“I am especially proud of the progress we’ve made for female creators. Streams of female European artists have soared, and through our EQUAL program, more than 200 European female artists have gained vital visibility, mentorship, and support,” said Federica. “These aren’t just numbers; they represent real women, real dreams, and a real shift in what it means to have a voice in this industry.”

Beyond English, beyond borders

European languages are powering streaming charts globally. In 2024:

  • Italy became a $100M+ market for the first time.
  • Seven of the top 10 most-streamed languages were European: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Italian, Dutch, and Swedish.
  • European music exports grew on average 32% annually from 2014 to 2024.

These stats show that Europe isn’t just part of the global music conversation—it’s leading it.

Further highlights from around the region

A closer look at how artists are thriving across Europe:

  • France: The number of artists earning more than €100K quadrupled since 2017. French artists made up 70% of Spotify France’s Daily Top 50 in 2024.
  • Germany: 6.9 billion artist discoveries; more than half of royalty revenue went to independent acts.
  • Belgium: More than 80% of royalties came from listeners outside the country.
  • Denmark: 192 artists earned more than 500,000 DKK; total royalties nearly doubled since 2017.
  • UK: The number of artists making £10K, £50K, and £100K has more than doubled since 2017. Those earning £1M+ rose 20% year-on-year.

“Being the first and only streaming service to share data on artist remuneration, our European Loud & Clear data is a core example of how streaming continues to empower European artists and creators to surpass geographical confines—to grow global fan bases, awareness, and success,” concludes Federica.

Ever Want To See 80 Minutes Of Ridley Scott’s TV Commercials In One Place? Here You Go.

Eric Alper
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Ever Want To See 80 Minutes Of Ridley Scott’s TV Commercials In One Place? Here You Go.

Ridley Scott once directed a 1999 Orange ad that predicted e-mail killing writing, video replacing travel, and men and women no longer needing each other. He also gave us Pepsi aliens, Apple’s hammer-thrower, and Hovis bread — proof that whether in ads or cinema, Scott always made the future unforgettable.



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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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